Hair binding apparatus

ABSTRACT

A binding device preferably used for adorning and securing the hair of a user therein. The binding device has a first member in the shape of a character and a second member extending therefrom and adapted to display a body of the character. The second member being elongated to enclose an elongated and flexible binding element therein such that said binding element turns upon itself to form an opening which securely, yet removably, receives a lock of hair of a user therein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hair accessories in general, and particularly to an apparatus for binding hair of a user in a certain position by incorporating a flexible elongated member covered with a soft outer layer, such as faux fur, with a head of an animal at one end that can be manipulated into a desired shape around the hair of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hair binding devices are known in the prior art and generally incorporate an aesthetic component in addition to a means for binding the structure to the hair. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,635,228 to Heikes discloses a decorative attachable unit for attachment in the hair of the user consisting of a clamping unit containing a helical metal spring element. The spring is so wound that it is under compressive force when compressed and contains a means to expand the spring for insertion of hair strands between the turns, thus securely enclosing the hair until removed.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,295 to Sammon discloses a hairpin for containing an adornment consisting of flexible fabric which provides an aesthetic appeal and conceals the hairpin. The present invention improves upon the aesthetic effect by bunching and gathering the fabric at periodic intervals, suggesting depth, and adding various adornments, such as beads.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,484 to Longsworth discloses a hair clip consisting of an elongated member having a first surface and a second surface, a clip attached to the first surface for securing the user's hair and an arcuate fastener securing a bow which attaches to the elongated member.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,227 to Shweky discloses a combination hair accessory and toy. The object is comprised of a hair accessory consisting of a stretchable member within a decorative fabric cover and an opening through the center through which the user's hair can be placed within. A toy element is attached to the outside surface of the fabric allowing the toy to be interactive with the user of the hair accessory or the user's companion.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,107 to Overmyer, et al. discloses a detachable hairpiece comprised of a hairpiece attached to a clip for placing upon the user's hair. The clip has an outer portion, which contains root portions of a plurality of strands of natural or synthetic hair, and a brush portion containing a plurality of rows of prongs, whereby the attachment of the hairpiece to the hair of the wearer provides an illusion of thicker hair.

[0007] The prior art does not address the need for a flexible hair binding device that is shaped in the fashion of an animal and may be used in the hair of a wearer. Therefore, there remains a long standing and continuing need for an advance in the art of hair binding devices that is simpler in both design and use, is more economical, efficient in its construction and use, and where the flexibility of the device allows for the creation of numerous hair styles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a biding device that can adorn the hair of a user.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a binding device that can secure the hair of a user.

[0011] It is another object of the present invention to provide a binding device that is easy to manufacture and use.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to provide a binding device that is economical in cost to manufacture and use.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a binding device that privides intricacy and variation to the elements of adornment.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a binding device that can reflect the characteristics of a user's favorite animal.

[0015] In keeping with the principles of the present invention, a unique binding device is herein disclosed. The binding device has a first member that can be adapted to the shape of any preferred character of fiction or non-fiction. A second member extends from the first member and may be adapted to be in a skin or fur of a character that corresponds with the first member. The second member encloses an elongated binding element, such as, but not limited to, a metal wire, therein. The metal wire being adapted to be manipulated into differing shapes continuously, whereby the shape is held in a secure yet changeable manner. The binding element and second member encircling themselves such that an opening is defined therethrough, such opening being adapted to maintain a lock of hair therein.

[0016] In an alternate preferred embodiment, a third member extends from the first member and encloses the elongated binding element therein. The third member in turn being enclosed by the second member and functioning in a similar fashion to secure a loc of hair therein, as described above.

[0017] Such stated objects and advantages of the invention are only examples and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. These and other objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the invention herein will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when take n in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the claims that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0019] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views:

[0020]FIG. 1 is a frontal view of the hair binding device in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the hair binding device taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0022]FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the hair binding device taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 4 is a frontal view of the hair binding device in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, therein is illustrated a hair binding device 10 that is adapted to be mounted onto the hair of a user (not shown) in order to allow the creation of various hair styles and to adorn the same. Device 10 has a first member 12 that is in the shape of an animal's head. Although first member 12 is shown as the head of a cat, it is to be understood that any head may be substituted therefor including, but not limited to, the head of any other animal, cartoon character, or fictitious character. Device 10 also has a second member 14 that extends from first member 12 in a preferably elongated manner. Second member 14 may be smooth in texture or have the texture of the fur of the animal that is depicted as first member 12. For purposes of illustration but not limitation, second member 14 may be made of faux fur to imitate the texture of the fur of a cat or it may be patterned like snake's skin if a snake's head is used as first member 12. In addition, second member 14 may also be colored or patterned to imitate the fur or skin of the head used as first member 12.

[0025] Now also referring to FIG. 2, second member 14 is preferably a continuous section of flexible fabric that can be attached around a third member 16. Third member 16 is also preferably made of a continuous section of flexible fabric that can be attached around a binding element 18. Second member 14 and third member 16 are secured along a length thereof by any suitable fastener such as, but not limited to, stitching such that second member 14 encloses third member 16 therein, and third member 16 encloses binding element 18 therein. Although third element 16 is illustrated herein, it is to be understood that the invention may function without including the same.

[0026] Now also referring to FIG. 3, first member 12 has a t least a first piece 20 extending from a bottom 22 thereof. First piece 20 is of sufficient length to allow attachment of an anterior portion 24 of both second member 14 and third member 16 thereto. Second member 14 and third member 16 may be attached to first piece 20 in any suitable manner that is known in the art such as, but not limited to, stitching, gluing, or stapling. In such an arrangement, binding element 18 is maintained within third member 16 and in secure relation to first member 12. In another preferred embodiment, binding element 18 may be directly inserted into and secured to first member 12 by any suitable manner that is known in the art whereby the requirement of third member 16 is eliminated.

[0027] Now also referring to FIG. 4, binding element 18 is preferably made of a flexible material such as, but not limited to, a metal that is adapted to be manipulated into a desired shape by the use of the hands of a user. Binding element 18 is also adapted to be resilient such that it may be manipulated on numerous occasions and yet be of sufficient rigidity to maintain the form in which it is placed.

[0028] Second member 14 and binding element 18 may be turned upon itself to form an opening 26 defined therethrough. In a preferred embodiment, opening 26 is adapted to receive a lock of hair (not shown) therein and maintains the same therein through the frictional force applied by second member 14 and binding element 18 thereon. It is to be understood that device 10 may also be mounted onto other objects such as, but not limited to, an arm of a wearer, a piece of clothing of a wearer, or an accessory of a wearer such as a strap for a purse, bag or backpack.

[0029] While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible without departing from the essential spirit if this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A binding device, comprising: a first member; a binding element extending from said first member and said binding element being flexible in nature such that the binding element may be manipulated into a desired shape which shape shall be held in a secure yet changeable manner.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first member is a shape a character.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein said first member is a shape of a head of a character.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein a second member extends from said first member and said second member encloses said binding element therein.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein said second member is textured.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein said second member imitates a skin of an animal.
 7. The device of claim 4, wherein said second member imitates a fur of an animal.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein said first member is a head of an animal.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein said binding element is an elongated metal element that is flexible in nature and can hold a shape into which said metal element is manipulated into in a secure yet changeable manner.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein said binding element is enclosed by a third member and a second member in turn encloses said third member.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein said elongated metal element, said second member, and said third member is turned upon itself such that an opening is defined therethrough and said opening receives an item to be enclosed therein.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein said item to be enclosed within said opening is a lock of hair.
 13. The device of claim 9, wherein said elongated metal element is enclosed by a second member and said second member and said elongated metal element are turned upon itself such that an opening is defined therethrough and said opening receives an item to be enclosed therein.
 14. A binding device for maintaining a lock of hair therein, comprising: a first member having a form of a character; an elongated binding element extending from said first member; and a second member extending from said first member and said second member being congruent with and enclosing said binding element.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein said first member is a head of a character and said second member is a corresponding body of said head.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein a third member extends from said first member and is congruent with and encloses said binding element, and said second member encloses said third member and said binding element.
 17. The device of claim 16, wherein said second member and said third member consist of a flexible fabric.
 18. The device of claim 14, wherein said binding element is attached to a bottom of said first member and said second member attaches to a first piece that extends from said bottom of said first member.
 19. An elongated binding device for adorning and enclosing a lock of hair, comprising; a first member shaped as a head of a character and having a bottom, and a first piece extending from said bottom; a second member attached to said first piece and extending from said bottom, and said second member being textured to imitate a body of said head of said character; a third member attached to said first piece and extending from said bottom and being enclosed by said second member; an elongated and flexible binding element being enclosed by said third member and being congruent therewith; whereby said elongated and flexible binding element may be turned upon itself to form an opening for receiving said lock of hair therein in a frictional manner.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein said elongated and flexible binding element is a metal wire. 